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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1998-07-29 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JULY 29,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Fire Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Cynthia Yahn and Paul Alexander; ABSENT: Commissioner Alvin Nelson Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1809 hrs. II. 1999 Budget Deliberation -Chief Wilbur began the session by reviewing the budget instructions from the Mayor-tonight's presentation will include a review of each budget alternative: 1.) 0%increase, absorbing any contractual increases so that the 1999 budget does not exceed the 1998 appropriation; 2.) -3% decrease from 1998 appropriations; 3.) -6% decrease from 1998 appropriations; 4.) "Optional",or "special"is for departmental requests that exceed the targets established above. The Chief provided spreadsheets detailing the 200 and 400 account lines. He explained that the 0%,-3%,and-6%all require reductions in personnel; the "special" alternative provides for a 0%increase over 1998 levels in the 200 and 400 lines, and contractual increases in the 100 lines. The discussion at this meeting will include a detailed review of cuts made in the 200 and 400 lines,and an executive session to discuss the personnel reductions required to achieve the budget amounts requested by the Mayor. At 1815 hrs.,Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters as they relate to the budget alternatives. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Open session resumed at 1828 hrs. The Chief and Board members continued discussion of each budget alternative in the 200 and 400 account lines. Highlights are as follows: - 205-Furniture &Fixtures $500 appropriated in 1998; 0 requested in any of the budget alternatives; - 210 Office Equipment 0 in 1998; Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners July 29,1998: Special Meeting Page 2 -most items requested in all alternatives relate to computer upgrades and a new copy machine in the"Special"alternative; -215 Motor Vehicles 0 in 1998; 0 in all budget alternatives; (most motor vehicle purchases are included in a capital budget request; - 225 Other Equipment $10,072 in 1998; 0 in all 1999 alternatives except"Special" which includes funds for continued replacement/up grade of SCBA Face Pieces and various maintenance work; -405 Telephone $9,242 estimated for 1998; 1999 levels: 0% through-6% includes reductions in local and long distance services, relinquish 2 of 3 cell phones,discontinue "ICHIEFS" network charges, and -3% and-6% include disconnecting phone service at Station 9 all together (as these alternatives lead to closing of station 9); the "Special"budget includes modest increases in basic services and restores cell phones &Station 9 funding; -410 Utilities 1998 estimated is$103,702; 1999 levels: 0% includes modest increases (note: half of utilities for the Training Center are being paid by Tompkins County); -3% and-6% are reduced by the closing of Station 9; "Special"budget includes Station 9 but reductions in usage; -415 Clothing 1998 estimated is$32,000; 1999 levels: 0% through-6%includes contractual requirements only; "special" budget includes addition of fatigue wear for bunkers. -420 Gas and Oil 1998 appropriated is$16,000;0% & "special"budget includes modest increases; -3% and -6%include a$1,000 reduction. -425 Office Supplies 1998 appropriated is$7,900; 1999 deletes supplies for Cause &Origin Team and Outsourced Services; "special" budget adds those back in plus an addition for general administration. -430 Fees for Professional Services No funds for 1998 or 1999. -435 Contractual Services 1998 appropriation is$40,693; 0%through-6% eliminates the newsletter and monies for volunteer companies as well as the incentive program (OSHA required physicals have to be included) - the entire account line is reduced by 30%; the "special"budget includes funding for volunteer companies, incentive Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners July 29,1998: Special Meeting Page3 program,some newsletter funding and associated printing. -440 Staff Development 1998 estimated is$21,294; 1999 0% reduced to$8,600;-3%reduced to$4,850;-6%reduced to$4,100; "special"budget includes a modest increase over 1998. -445 Travel &Mileage 1998 appropriate is$1,350; 1999 -all alternatives include only mileage required to be paid for travel to EMT classes; "special"budget includes$300 more. -460 Program Supplies 1998 appropriated is$24,809; 1999 all levels reduced by approx. 35%; "special"budget raises to 1998 level. -470 Rental Equipment 1998 appropriated is$2,300; 1999 alternatives eliminates freezer for bagged ice,-port-a-john rental and includes 1/2 of dumpster rental (Tompkins County paying for half); "special" budget includes only the postage machine rental and dumpster rental. -475 Property Maintenance 1998 appropriated is$75,691; 1999 levels reduced by approx. 10%and-3%and-6% exclude any maintenance of Station 9 as it would be closed; "special"budget indicates a small reduction from 1998 and does not include copy machine maintenance is a new copy machine is eliminated from the equipment budget, -476 Equipment Maintenance 1998 appropriated is$51,596; 1999 levels provide for 18.5%decrease,32% decreases,or the "special"budget calls for an 8%decrease. Reductions mostly represent decrease in computer & associated equipment and general maintenance-pump,aerial,and ground ladder certifications are required by ISO and NFPA. -477 Equipment Parts &Supplies 1998 appropriated is$51,596; 1999 levels provide for decreases of 32%-28% and the "special"budget is 8% more than 1998 to provide for price increases. -480 Building Maintenance 1998 appropriated is$8,250 1999 levels are decreased in the-3% and -6%to accommodated the possible closing of Station 9. Overall, all 1999 budget alternatives,except the "special"budget, call for personnel reductions. Chief Wilbur next talked about revenues. He reported that the amount needed for the 1999 "special"budget which includes all current personnel and modest increases where Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners July 29,1998: Special Meeting Page 4 absolutely needed, would be$122,349. Currently, monies received by the City of Ithaca for Fire Protection(from the Town of Ithaca and Cornell University) are deposited in the General Fund. Including these monies, along with estimated revenues for 1999 from revenue initiatives established as a result of a Common Council directive,as well as current revenue programs (some permit fees, etc.) indicate a 17% increase over last year. The Town of Ithaca Fire Contract and donations made by Cornell University for Fire Protection rise each year by a certain percentage-the Ithaca Fire Department budget does not rise at the same rate - in fact has been reduced significantly. Chair Romanowski asked if the cut in the maintenance portion of the budget will affect safety. Deputy Chief Dorman replied that it will not-vehicles will not be operated if unsafe - this is not an option. Comm. Baker asked if the issue of selling Station 7 was an option and that, if so, could/would the monies received be credited to the Fire Department's budget. Chief Wilbur indicated that because of the lack of time to develop options to present to Council, any proceeds from the sale would most likely end up in the General Fund. Chair Romanowski asked if the "special"budget was the preferred choice of the Chief and staff? Chief Wilbur replied that it was absolutely the/preferred choice-the justification is in the revenues and our service is vital. Deputy Chief Dorman reported that he has assisted in the development of the Fire Coordinator's budget for Tompkins County. They (the County) is stressing "maintenance of effort" -keeping the status quo. That's what we are also trying to do. Chief Wilbur is appealing to the whole department to pull together-if factions fracture, we will fail. This is a very dire situation. The Chief indicated that before the budget is submitted to the Mayor,Common Council and the Town of Ithaca,he will meet with the staff that is involved in the possible layoffs. He does not want them to hear the information second-hand. After all discussion,Chair Romanowski made a motion to authorize the Chief to submit to the Mayor, the 1999 "Special"budget alternative as that being recommended by the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners and supported by the Chief and staff. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. III. Proposed Legislation Regarding Permits for Places of Assembly- Discussion: Chief Wilbur reviewed the aspects of the proposed legislation. The Fire Department is Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners July 29,1998: Special Meeting Page 5 required by law to inspect all places of assembly once a year. This is known as an "unfunded mandate". Due to limited resources,we have not been able to make this happen. He has a team of Lieutenants working on a special program that would be supported by the fees collected for these permits. To date,Common Council has not recognized our need for additional resources. Currently if we have a loss in a place of assembly that can be attributed to fire code violations,we (and the City) are at great risk. The operating permits would include an inspection of the property,rating occupancy and being sure the occupancy complies with the code. The permits would be valid for one year. Chair Romanowski asked if the permit pertains to the business owner or the property owner. Chief Wilbur indicated that this was unclear and he will ask for clarification from the City Attorney's office. Chair Romanowski also asked for the proposed legislation information to be sent to the Town of Ithaca for their information. (This legislation currently only applies to the City of Ithaca). Chief Wilbur indicated that the legal notice will be published in the August 1st Ithaca Journal, and has also been sent to the local Area Congregations Together,the restaurant and tavern owners group,and Cornell University as those having special interest in the proposed legislation. Since the ordinance mentions a fee,Chief Wilbur was asked how the fee would be determined. He indicated that the fee is established in a separate section of the City Code and it is determined using a formula based on usage, square feet and a number of other factors. He will have the formula available during the public meeting in the event there are questions. The Chief and the Board discussed the process for the public hearing. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes, the Chief will respond when necessary. Otherwise,Board members will listen and observe. IV. At 1934 hrs. Chair Romanowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. sr /ec lly submi ed, _ / i Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the 08/11/98 meeting). - f ; - ///